Ulster Club IHC Semi-Final
Carey Faughs 1-11 Castleblaney Faughs 0-11
The character and resolve that has epitomised Carey Faughs all season was again produced in bagful’s as the men from Ballyvoy were forced to dig deep before overcoming the challenge of excellent Monaghan champions Castleblaney in Carrickmore on Sunday.
Storm Bert forced the delay of this semi-final by 24 hours and while Pairc Colmcille was in excellent condition considering the previous 36 hours of rain, snow and wind, the game turned into a real arm wrestle with little opportunity for open hurling.
The Monaghan champions brought a high intensity to the contest and the game was interrupted by intermitting rucking throughout with the Castleblaney Faughs making the early running.
Thomas Hughes hit a couple of early wides for the Monaghan champions and Shea Hunter was off target for the Antrim side before Fergal Rafter finally got the game’s opening point to move Castleblaney ahead in the 6th minute.
With a strong diagonal wind slightly favouring Castleblaney and underfoot conditions softening, open hurling was proving difficult and it was 14 minutes before Conor McBride took a pass from Michael McVeigh before levelling the scores.
Caolan McCaughan edged the Antrim champions ahead for the first time, a minute later but Castleblaney were fiercely contesting every ball and they would draw level through Brian McGuigan before Mark Trainor restored their lead with 19 minutes gone.
A fine piece of fielding and a shot on the turn by Callum Kane had the side’s level for the third time with 8 minutes remaining to the break but just when it looked like Cathaoir an Ri were finding their feet the Monaghan side found a response.
The excellent Fergal Rafter pushed them into a two point lead from frees in the 26th and 29th minute and the same player struck a superb point from play to stretch the lead to three before Conleth McKinnley replied with a much needed score for the Ballyvoy men to leave them trailing by two at the break.
With the wind now in their favour for the second half Carey Faughs would have been expected to take control but it was the impressive Declan Hughes who moved ‘Blaney’ three in front after 28 seconds of the restart.
Carey tried to respond and a James Black sideline cut was diverted for a ‘65’ which Conal McGlynn converted in the 37th minute, and the same player followed from a 40 meter free to leave just one in it with 8 minutes gone.
Mark Trainor for the Monaghan Faughs and McGlynn for the Antrim version exchanged further points and Fergal Rafter edged the Monaghan men two in front again before James Black closed the gap to one with a point from close range.
Man of the match Black looked to be in for a goal but took the safer option and it was probably the right decision as Conleth McKinnley levelled the contest from a difficult angle in the 18th minute and Carey were starting to get on top.
A superb long range point from mid-fielder Callum Kane brought the travelling Ballyvoy supporters to their feet but Castleblaney were still hanging in there and free taker Rafter levelled once more with seven minutes remaining.
It would be the final time the sides were level and as play began to open up James McCaouig produced a strong run from deep in defence but looked to have lost possession.
However the ball broke out to substitute Fiachra McVeigh who sent Conor McBride clear on the right, his instant pick-up on the run creating time and space and he made no mistake as he fired to the net from 25 meters for the only goal of the game.
McBride’s goal moved the Antrim champions four ahead as the clock ticked towards full time but Castleblaney rallied with a point from Thomas Hughes. A brilliant head first dive by full-back Sean McBride kept the Monaghan men at bay during a hectic period of injury time to deny Trainor as the Monaghan side went looking for the goal that would have sent it to extra time.
A great win in the end for Carey Faughs who will now meet Swatragh of Derry in next weekend’s final and it looks likely that that game might be played in Loughgiel, the venue of the Ballyvoy men’s Antrim final success.
CAREY FAUGHS
Steven McGinn, Zach McCaughan, Sean McBride, Patrick Gillan, Shea Hunter (C) , James McCouaig, Conal McGlynn, Callum Cane, Patrick Butler, Conlith McKinley, John McBride, Connor McBride, Michael McVeigh, James Black, Caolan McCaughan.
Subs – Fiachra McVeigh for McKinley
CASTLEBLANEY FAUGHS
Hugh Byrne, Paudie Heavin, Colin Merrick, Eoin Leonard, Aaaron Kenny, Patrick Finnegan (C), Cormac McNally, Declan Hughes, Brian Flannigan, Conall McHugh, Thomas Hughes, Fergal Rafter, Mark Trainor, Brian McGuigan, Pauric Malone
Referee – James Clarke (Cavan)
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